It seems pretty standard for commentaries to be written on the combination of 2 Peter and Jude. Obviously they both share the subject matter of false teachers, but I assume there are reasons beyond this for including them together, likely involving source criticism. Do scholars think one borrowed from the other? From a common Q-like source? Why are these books usually written about together?

I've never noticed, but that's totally weird. I wonder if the reason is just that Jude is really short and not associated with a longer book. It might be a publishing reason rather than a technical reason.
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Jon Ericson♦Oct 5 '12 at 23:41

Yeah, I almost immediately followed this up with a question about Jude :)
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SoldarnalOct 6 '12 at 1:46

This is a great question. I had never noticed the similarities. And @JonEricson, I'll get Jude. No worries.
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Frank LukeOct 8 '12 at 14:49

2 Answers
2

It is often believed that the author of the second book references the first book. This is based on both using otherwise rare words (such as "multiply" in Jude 2 being used in 1 Peter 1:2 and 2 Peter 1:2) and themes ("our common salvation" in Jude 3 and "a faith of the same kind as ours" in 2 Peter 1:2). Whether Jude quotes 2 Peter or 2 Peter uses content from Jude (Bauckham also lists out the possibilities of both drawing from a common source and having the same author. He holds neither position), is debated (see the Introduction to 2 Peter in Expositor's Bible Commentary, Ed. F.E.Gaebelein, Zondervan 1976-1992). Conservative scholars usually date Jude between 60 and 90.

Jude and 2 Peter are very similar (see especially "Relation to Second Peter), especially Jude and 2 Peter 2. Some argue that Jude was the source** based on style, brevity (the belief that the shorter work came first), and believing that 2 Peter is psuedopigraphical. However, Wallace answers those arguments and makes several arguments for Petrine Priority.

Jude's grammar and style are stronger than Peter.

2 Peter speaks of the false teachers as yet to come while Jude presents them as recently infiltrating the church.

Jude 3 speaks as if the age of the apostles has ended. If so, Peter would have to be dead and 2 Peter already written.

Jude 17 gives 3 strong indications of who came first. (As this is key to Wallace's argument, he will be directly quoted.)

(a) Jude seems to be saying that his audience ought to recall what Peter (and Paul and his associates) had said to them regarding the rise of false prophets. Again, here it should be noticed that the verse is almost identical to 2 Pet 3:2, though Peter is speaking about what would come while Jude is saying that the prophecy was fulfilled.

(b) Again, as in v 3, v 17 seems to indicate that the age of the apostles was past.

(c) Finally, although Jude 17 and 2 Pet 3:2 are almost identical in wording, there are significant differences:

2 Peter 3:2—“you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandments of the Lord and Savior through your apostles” (RSV)

Jude 17—“Remember the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ” (RSV)

What shows very clearly the literary connection between these two texts is not only the general thought, but some key terms and expressions, for example:

mnhsqh'nai tw'n proeirhme'nwn rJhmavtwn (Peter);

mnhvsqhte tw'n rJhmavtwn tw'n proeirhmevnwn (Jude)

There are two major differences, however: (1) 2 Peter speaks of “your apostles” while Jude speaks of “the apostles”; (2) 2 Peter reminds his audience of what the prophets and apostles said while Jude merely mentions apostles. As we have argued in our discussion of 2 Peter, “your apostles” probably refers to Paul and his associates. Peter’s point was to show not only that Paul was a genuine spokesman for God, but also that his message was in line with the OT prophets. Jude, however, drops the mention of the prophets, and makes the apostles more absolute. If anything, this suggests that Jude was written later and depended on 2 Peter. (He might not have personalized the apostles because now such a group would include Peter and Peter was not, technically, one of “your apostles”). It is quite inexplicable for the author of 2 Peter, reading Jude, to add prophets and personalize the apostles, while it is perfectly clear why an author, after the age of the apostles had ended, spoke of them in more absolute terms and quietly dropped mention of prophets since that did not suit his purpose.37 In light of this parallel between the two epistles, it is rather surprising to read Bauckham’s comment that “there is no convincing case of allusion to a written Christian source [in Jude] … ”38

** e.g. Terrance Callan, "Use of the Letter of Jude by the Second Letter of Peter," in Biblica 85 (2004), pp. 42-64.

Hi Frank, you might like to know a very similar question has been asked and much of this answer is relevant there too.
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Jack DouglasDec 4 '13 at 19:25

Couldn't you use these same facts to argue that 2 Peter was written, not by the Apostle Peter, deliberately to give apostolic credence to Jude's arguments? And meanwhile, as a bonus, to also give Paul apostolic support?
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Mr. BultitudeMar 15 '14 at 20:28

Is it at all possible that these two books were written completely independent of one another by the individual prompting of the Holy Spirit? From a Christian perspective, the Holy Spirit is indeed the true Author of God's word and merely works through men by divine inspiration (as affirmed by Peter in 2 Peter 1:20-21). Given this, is it not quite feasible that this was the case with these two books? I'm a writer, and it is quite feasible to have two articles on the same subject matter published by different publishers, yet have contents so similar because both writings flow from the same wellspring of thoughts and ideas.

It's great to establish the scholastic/historical authorship of these books, but I think it's also important to remember the ultimate Source behind these human vessels. ALL scripture is inspired by God, therefore He's the real Author and may choose to underscore an important theme using two or more different individuals in different times and places.

Be sure to read our guideline on showing your work, which is a requirement on this site. Note that you are free to roll the edits back if they are disagreeable to you.
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Dan♦Mar 14 '14 at 21:25

Hello LiAnn. Thank you for you contribution. I have some suggestions to help you strengthen your answer (you can use the edit link under you answer). The tone of your answer is tentative (asking questions). I recommend 1) you answer questions that you are confident about. 2) focus on the text and keep the question in mind. 3) State your answer confidently. 4) Logically show your work step by step. 5) Support all assertions with reference to credible sources through links/citation/quotations etc. 6) Check to make sure when you are done that you have answered the question. Welcome to BH-SE!
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user2027Mar 19 '14 at 12:21